Eight top-seeded teams in 2018 World Cup draw

ZURICH (AP):

FIFA has confirmed the seven highest-ranked nations joining host Russia as top-seeded teams in the World Cup finals draw.

France rose one place to number seven to edge out Spain, as defending champions Germany head an unchanged top six.

After a busy qualifying program last week, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium and Poland are also top-seeded for the December 1 draw in Moscow.

FIFA uses October rankings to decide all four seeding pots despite nine places in the 32-team World Cup finals line-up to be decided in November.

Russia is top-seeded for the World Cup despite being ranked number 65.

Chile at number nine is the highest-ranked team eliminated from the World Cup.

Mexico at number six, heads CONCACAF teams. The eliminated United States is number 27. Tunisia at number 28 is Africa's best, and number 34 Iran lead Asia.